There's something quite annoying about Martins and Kone. They are both capable with an eye on goal but they just don't get the part where they work their position and get stuck in to the game (in midfield)
I genuinely think he got away with it purely as it was so stupid the ref made it a yellow by applying an idiot allowance to the decision. Should've been red all day long.
Thinking about it, when you look at our midfield, take out Kayembe and what have you got? A flashy, potentially very good combination (Aspilla/Kone/Martins) who can look very decent/skilfull on the attack, but only here and there. Our midfield just isn't effective in the Championship and needs pumping up under Cleverly... Where's Vinnie Jones these days..?
And the more a ref is going to officiate a match and allow such behaviour without a red card, I don’t think you should be allowed to continue to officiate on it
Martins was in on goal, but the two things that saved O'Nien were the fact that it was on the halfway line...and that it was Martins
I’m a strong supporter of Keighley’s CAPGM+ (Correct All Poor Grammar Movement) + poor spelling etc Here he is in a former life, just prior to his sad demise…
I thought a deliberate handball that stops a clear goal-scoring chance is an automatic red card. But it is a perfect example to back up my one-man campaign for a sin-bin: The ref has bottled it because he knows sending off a man is a game-changing decision in pro football (and many refs would do the same thing). The existence of an 'orange' card and, say, 10 minutes in the bin (perhaps longer) is a middle way which more refs would pick and yet would still be a tactical disadvantage to the offending team.
Can’t imagine anybody from overseas wanting to come here for a holiday. Awful weather, rip-off prices, an awful transport infrastructure, terrible food and a xenophobic unwelcoming Tory government in charge.
I don't disagree with your observations but I feel Asprilla would profit from another season with us. He's only 20 and hopefully a season of sensible coaching with somebody like Cleverly would improve his decision-making. It's a thing which can be improved with repetitive coaching and good advice. Modern football moves fast and you don't have much thinking time out there. Of course, the club's finances are another thing and I'm not getting into that. Kone I find sort of fascinating. The huge gap in quality between when he plays well and when he plays badly is a thing of wonder. Again, he is young and not the finished product. Again, I hope he stays on. I'm sure there is more to get out of him - he needs to learn how to impose himself more on a game.
Lets not go down the politics route,I don't want to fall out with anybody, but I would have thought most (former) Tory voters would accuse them of the exact opposite!
Would be great for both to stay but we have finances to balance, so one or both will have to be sold to do this. I can't imagine Gino not trying to get quick cash for Georgi too.
Kone won’t be leaving. Asprilla will though. More than one party has confirmed both to me. (Obviously the Kone thing is changeable if someone offers good money - but the plan is to retain him.)
The most pleasing thing for me is that Cleverley clearly wasn’t happy with the game despite the win. That attitude is something we have lacked. He could easily have slipped into ‘just happy with a home win/first victory as permanent head coach’ territory but avoided it and bemoaned the performance.
I’m happy Kone will stay, feel like he could develop well under Clevs. His pass to Andrews for the goal is something that was not noticed and something other players lack the ability to do. Also important to note it’s only his 2/3rd season in the professional game.
Yeah that's the most active I've seen Asprilla after a game - definitely gone. Hopefully for good money. Time to use those ESC places for more than just Rajovic.
Chakvetadze, whilst underwhelming at times, hasn’t done much wrong. Certainly wouldn’t be saying ‘good riddance’ to a player who shows promise and is one of a very small few we have that could be decent at the top end of the pitch. First season in English football, only been here permanently for a few months so likely has been putting roots down away from the pitch. Personally think he deserves some slack and be allowed some time to grow into things. Think he may be a key player next season under Cleverley and with Asprilla likely departing.
I agree with giving him more time but he definitely needs to sharpen up next season and start presenting more than a passing threat to opponents.
That was my point. More time but could be better. But ‘good riddance’ is wild. Think we have a few players who aren’t really defined as ‘what they are’. Plenty of players but what does each one do? I can tell you what Rodri’s role is at City. I can tell you what Summerville at Leeds is meant to be doing. I could tell you what Ashley Young and Ikechi Anya’s jobs were. What I can’t really tell you is what Kone, Asprilla, Dennis, Kayembe, Andrews etc are meant to be doing. And the way many of them play, I don’t think they know either.
He's closer to good riddance in my mind as well to be fair, though now we've actually signed him, and for a fee I can't see anyone else matching any time soon, we'll just have to make the best of him. If he was still on loan and the club announced we weren't making it permanent I can't imagine many tears would be shed.
